B for Breathing

Breathing: Provide Rescue Breaths

Rescue breathing can be given mouth-to-mouth. If the person’s mouth is seriously injured or cannot be opened, give mouth-to-nose breathing instead.

Illustration showing mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing with nose pinched and a proper seal

With the airway open using the head-tilt, chin-lift, pinch the person’s nose shut. Cover the person’s mouth with yours and create a tight seal.

Give two rescue breaths. Each breath should last about 1 second. Watch for the chest to rise. If the chest rises, give the second breath.

If the chest does not rise, re-open the airway (head-tilt, chin-lift), ensure a proper seal, and try again.

Continue CPR by alternating compressions and breaths until emergency responders take over or the person starts breathing normally.

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